Each year, the Lehigh Valley Road Runners offers four separate scholarships to eligible students planning to continue their education at the college level after graduating from high school.
This year, 26 applicants across 8 high schools vied for one of the seven scholarships. 2024 recipients were awarded the scholarships during two celebrations, Wednesday, July 17 and Thursday, August 8. Both evenings were met with humid rainy weather, moving the ceremonies indoors. Thankfully, we were able to catch a break in the rain for pictures outside. Students were joined by thier coaches, family, LVRR Board members and Scholarship Committee members as they were recognized for their accomplishments through athletic and academic honors, awards, and community service. Congratulations to all scholarship recipients and applicants on your tremendous accomplishments. We wish you great success in college and beyond.
The proceeds of the annual Emmaus 4-Mile Classic are the primary fundraising source for both the Ed Thompson and Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarships.
The club’s longest-standing scholarship, The Ed Thompson Memorial Scholarship, is awarded to an eligible Emmaus High School (EHS) male senior. Ed Thompson graduated in 1973 and initially went into the Marine Corps after High School. When he was discharged from the service, he joined the local road running club, the Emmaus Road Runners (ERR). The ERR later merged with the Lehigh Valley Athletic Association to become the Lehigh Valley Road Runners. Unfortunately, Ed developed a very aggressive form of brain cancer and lost his battle in 1983, at the age of 27. The Emmaus Road Runners initially started the scholarship shortly after as a tribute to Ed.
The recipient of the 2024 Ed Thompson Memorial Scholarship is:
- Tyler Finck (Emmaus High School) attending Kutztown University to major in Computer Science and Biology)
The Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship was established in 2001 in memory of Nicole Reinhart, a 1994 EHS graduate, who lost her life in a cycling race in September 2000. In high school, Nicole was a standout Track and Cross-Country runner, as well as a National Marine Corps Youth Physical Fitness Champion. This scholarship is awarded to an eligible Emmaus High School female senior.
The recipient of the 2024 Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship is:
- Sophia Kovalski (Emmaus High School) attending Dickinson College to major in English.
The LVRR Scholarship Fund was established to assist local high school graduates with college expenses and is funded by LVRR races and through fundraising efforts of the club. This scholarship is awarded to two eligible females and two eligible males.
Recipients of the 2024 LVRR Scholarship are:
- Lana Hurwitz (Parkland High School) attending Monmouth University to major in Exercise Science.
- Madison Seed (Parkland High School) attending Auburn University to major in Biology with pre-dental track.
- Paul Abeln (Parkland High School) attending Stony Brook University to majro in Finance.
- Tyler Rothrock (Parkland High School) attending the University of Massachusetts Lowell to major in Chemical Engineering.
Established in 2013, the Tom Illick Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college undergraduate, whose parents are LVRR members in good standing for 3 consecutive years or more. This award is a continuation of the club’s commitment to our members and its young adults to lead healthy, productive, and disciplined lifestyles. We want to continue to encourage their academic and community involvement as they pursue their college goals. In 2018, after the passing of long-time club member Tom Illick, this scholarship was renamed in his honor.
The recipient of the 2024 Tom Illick Memorial Scholarship is:
- Elizabeth Samer (Emmaus High School) attending Thomas Jefferson University to major in 3+3 Exercise Science to Doctorate of Physical Therapy.